1946 Map of Newton

About this map

The Charles River winds through this mid-century landscape, acting as a natural boundary between the expanding suburbs of Newton and Watertown. This era shows a dense concentration of institutional and community landmarks, from the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Boston College to the sprawling Arsenal (U S Military Reservation) in Watertown. The map captures the intricate transit network of the 1940s, including the Worcester Turnpike and the New York New Haven and Hartford railroad lines serving Needham Junction. Local genealogy and social history are well-represented by numerous burial grounds like Mt Auburn Cem and the Catholic Cem, alongside specific landmarks such as the Perkins Institution for the Blind and the Working Boys Home. This snapshot reveals a region defined by its prestigious educational campuses, athletic sites like Harvard Stadium, and the early development of Wellesley and Brookline.